Broadsides
Platform: Commodore 64
Gametype: Undefined
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Broadsides is a tactical simulation of ship-to-ship combat between sailing ships of the Napoleonic era (late 18th and early 19th Century). The game can be played as two different games. The first game is an arcade mode where you can sail right into the action, set your course, maneuver, and fire your guns as fast as your crew can load. For authenticity and historical detail, the tactical game puts you on the quarterdeck where you will make all the decisions real captains had to make.

If you wish to depart from the historical ships provided, you can design your own frigates and ships of the line from the keel up to rigging, arming and manning them. The game ends when either ship wins or at 6pm, whichever comes first. You will win if you sink the enemy ship, or accumulate enough points to force the enemy ship to surrender. You will lose if your crew size goes below one quarter of its original size or if 11 enemy crew members manage to board your ship and there are no standing friendly crew members occupying any of the first 10 boarding positions on your ship. If both ships sink, or no one wins by 6pm, the game is a draw. The game can be played by two players or against the computer.

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Description from the packaging:

"Beat to quarters! Run out the guns, and Clear for Action!"

These urgent commands of the 18th-century captain are now yours to issue as you re-enact legendary naval engagements from the age of fighting sail.

Broadsides is a game of non-stop naval action, as fast and demanding as the historical battles it re-creates: Constitution vs. Guerriere, Bonhomme Richard vs. Serapis, and many more.

In this two-player and solitaire simulation, both ships will be rigged, manned, and armed just like the real ships were, and will handle in the wind just as real ships sailed.

For speed of play, the Arcade game lets you sail right into the action. You set your course, maneuver and fire broadsides as fast as your crew can reload.

For authenticity and historical detail, the Tactical game puts you on the quarterdeck. There, you make the decisions real captains had to make: How much sail? What course for best speed? Aim your guns for the rigging or waterline? What range? Load with solid shot shot or grape shot?

When the ships move within grappling range, your boarding parties and sharpshooters will decide the battle. As you watch the action on your screen, you'll take a sabre in hand and plunge into the heart of the fight.

If you wish to depart from the historical ships provided and design your own naval legends, Broadsides lets you build frigates and ships-of-the-line from the keel up, rigging them, manning them, and arming them with everything from 12-pounders to hull-smashing carronades.

The enemy's guns have been rolled out, his sharpshooters are in his tops, and he's almost within range. The battle is about to begin.

"Stand to your guns! Take aim! Wait 'til your guns bear!"

The informative, Hi-res color graphic screen display shows your ships moving much faster than real-time. Here, the ship firing its guns has overshot its target.

During the semi-animated boarding phase, you can order your sharpshooters to aim for the deck or enemy shooters. Your sabre-wielding men can thrust, counter-thrust or hack away.
